A/N: In 2014 I began writing a series of stories about Callen and a woman that he fell in love with and married, Sara. In 2015 I started this story and it has sat on a shelf collecting dust for several reasons. Mixed points of view were confusing me, as were locations and just how people would view how I showcased these characters. They are beloved to us and I didn't want to discredit any of them with how I will portray them. However now is the time to share this story.

Thank you to a good friend who had the faith in me and that this story would sometime see the light of day. I wish you were here to read it Motsie of Atlantis. I miss sharing stories with you.

Eighteen Months

Chapter 1

The sunsets at Polihale Beach on the island of Kauai are spectacularly beautiful. As the glowing orb sinks into the Pacific, it sends out glorious rays of red and gold like hands from God. The clouds are illuminated from behind in gold and the islands of Ni'ihau and Nihoa blaze in both differing tints of red and multiple shades of gold.

Polihale Beach is easy to find, just follow the simple directions posted by the gate: Take the old cane road for five miles and turn right at the Monkey Pod Tree. Don't worry the way is very clear to follow as there is only one way to go. Marty Deeks and I just wished that life could be that easy to follow.

All of this would be wondrous if you're in the right frame of mind to enjoy it. Unfortunately we weren't. Marty and I had been sent on an enforced vacation, albeit to paradise, by Hetty Lange with no explanation as to what was needed or expected of us. We were both told to go and have a good time.

This seems to be very nice but there were other things to consider besides us having a good time. Callen and Kensi had been sent on a mission eighteen months ago and we've not heard from them since. Neither Marty nor I were in the right mindset to enjoy this piece of paradise.

But let me take you back eighteen months and start the story there.

Eighteen Months Earlier:

Hetty looked out over the bullpen and noticed that Mr. Callen and Mrs. Deeks were sitting at their desks reading cold case reports. The paper work that seems eternal was piled high in their work baskets. The team, currently, had no open cases and when they weren't reading and discussing the cold cases, they were filing the back log of paper that is always due. "Mr. Callen, Mrs. Deeks, a moment of your time… please?" She gave a hand wave motioning for them to come to join her. She wasn't wearing the courteous smile that she usually gave them and there wouldn't be one either. Hetty deemed the mission she was being ordered to send them on…unsavory, and after her stand down in Washington, she didn't have a clear way to deny the mission. She had no recourse but to send them.

Both agents noticed the coldness of the request and gave each other a questioning glance as they walked together to her office.

She greeted them with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Mr. Callen and Mrs. Deeks go home and spend time today with your families. Tomorrow you will report here for a flight to Coronado and then a flight to Afghanistan. You'll report to Leland Walker in Kabul. He will give you all the pertinent information on your mission. I only know that you will be tracking a Taliban group that targets our servicemen. Mr. Walker will have the rest for you. I'll see you at 0500 hours tomorrow morning." With that brief offering she dismissed them.

Callen looked towards Kensi and hated the thought of her being away from Deeks. They'd only been married a few months. Sara wouldn't like this much either. The twins, Jarrett and Kendyl were only five months old. Their older daughter, Gretchen, was almost five. He didn't want to let this go this quickly and without some serious questions. "How long do you think this will last?"

Hetty hated the answer she gave because she wasn't even remotely sure of the truth of it. "It may only last a few days to a month or two or could be undetermined as to length; hopefully, only a few days."

Kensi showed uncertainty about this deployment. She looked to Callen, who showed his displeasure with the chewing of his inner cheek that the team knew well. Knowing that Callen felt just like she did drove her to return her attention back to her boss and mentor. "Hetty the last time I was in Afghanistan I was captured and tortured. Should I really be the one to go? Isn't there someone else to send?"

Hetty understood her agent's reluctance and shook her head as she spoke. "No Mrs. Deeks. We need both of you to go because of your unique skill sets. Mr. Callen is the perfect legend and ghost, and while he knows some Pashtu and Dari, he learns languages quickly. Your forensic qualifications and the sniper capabilities make you the perfect choice to accompany him. You both have posed as a couple with great ease before. I am truly sorry Mrs. Deeks." She really was. She didn't want to send her operatives on a job that had so little of a chance for success. She showed her business face to the two agents but inside her stomach roiled in turmoil and her heart, heavy. Both of these agents had gone through a life of hell before they found their mates in life and had only been with them a short time. It wasn't fair for Vance to ask of this now and he'd given her no choice in this. "Mrs. Deeks go and scoop up Mr. Deeks and go home. Prepare for the mission but first and foremost enjoy your husband's company." Hetty smiled, rose from her chair and came to Kensi. She placed Kensi's hand in hers and squeezed it. Kensi squeezed back, looked her boss in the eyes and then got up, went to get Deeks and the two of them left the building.

Callen sat there and watched the diminutive woman; a woman he'd learned to trust and care for almost as a mother. He sensed her reluctance for this mission. There was something about it that she didn't like and he wanted to know what that was. He met her eye and tried to stare her down, trying to get her to crack and when that didn't happen, and he admitted to himself that it didn't often, he looked past her to her antique tea pot collection. His face showed his impatience for these orders as did his finger tapping. His eyes, however, were inquisitive. "Something you'd like to share, Hetty?" When she didn't answer he pushed further. "Something's bothering you and if it pertains to Kensi and I, this would be a good time to know." His voice carried emphasis but it wasn't working on the little ninja and he knew it. If she didn't want him to know something he never would.

Hetty looked around and motioned for Callen to take a seat. She wanted to make sure that Owen Granger was not lurking in the shadows. He might object to her talking with Callen. She shook her head as if to say 'screw it.' "Mr. Callen, Director Vance is unsure how NCIS is being run in Afghanistan. There has been, shall we say, some inconsistencies in the day-to-day operations. We also think there is a mole in the operation leaking intel to the Taliban. We need it stopped. That is the task for you and Mrs. Deeks. Everyone is suspect, everyone. You must be very careful Mr. Callen. Bring Mrs. Deeks and yourself home in one piece. She hesitated another moment and then nodded towards the door. Go home to Sara and your children. Enjoy this day with them."

Callen nodded his head, went to pack up his bag, give Sam a heads up and then he left knowing full well what would await him at home.